The Food and Drug Administration has proposed new rules to confirm the safety of imported foods, some of which have caused disease outbreaks in the U.S. The rules are the activating regulations of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011, which requires importers to meet the same food-purity standards required of U.S. farms and food-processing plants. Without the new rules, no regulations have been in place to enforce the law. Since the Act was passed in 2011 but without rules, there have been eight disease outbreaks linked to imported foods. Salmonella in imported tuna, papayas, and tahini sesame paste has been the main problem. Under the new standards, importers will be required to work with overseas farmers, processors, and distributors and with third-party auditors to verify food purity. Fifteen percent of all U.S. food is imported, from over 150 countries, and includes 80 percent of seafood, 50 percent of fresh fruits, and 20 percent of fresh vegetables. Currently, the government is unable to check 98 percent of these food imports for safety. A combination of government domestic oversight and the self-interest of brands responding to consumers demanding healthier, more nutritious, and safe food has given the U.S. a good record for food safety. At a time when the contents and quality of food in even the developed countries of the European Union is in question, these new rules will strengthen American regulatory and commercial healthy food leadership. I’m John Howell for 3BL Media.

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